At its best, educational technology has the potential to make learning experiences more engaging, relevant, meaningful, and accessible. Thoughtful designers are developing new ways of engaging with content, ideas, the physical world, and peers in ways that matter to students. 

But not all tech is created equal—or equitable.  Too much education technology recreates rote learning models; ignores students’ culture, context, and individuality; and ultimately exacerbates inequity in our education systems.  Too often, developers of high-quality culturally responsive EdTech products struggle to find funding.

We believe there could be a better future for EdTech—in which designers consistently create products that support creative, effective learning for all students.  Our mission is to envision that future and figure out what resources and tools are needed to manifest it.

Over the coming months, we will be researching existing approaches to EdTech design and development, and the forces that drive this market–including equitable design processes, the most promising pedagogies, how funders consider equity in their decision-making, and more.

Then, we’ll be convening a design team of funders, EdTech designers, school district procurement folks, students, and teachers to help us prototype solutions to these challenges:

• How might we encourage [more] EdTech designers to use equity-centered processes and learning science research as they create new products?  What are blocks or obstacles?

• How might we influence [more] EdTech venture capitalists and foundations to consider the processes and pedagogies used when they make funding decisions about new products?

• How might we help [more] school district buyers, parents, and other “customers” find and choose products that center equity?

We plan to share our progress throughout the project.  In the fall, we’ll release our final designs and findings.  Stay tuned.  And feel free to drop us a note with thoughts, questions, or connections.